Bop Shop: Songs From Bartees Strange, Wonho, The Beths, And More

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  Bartees Strange: "Mulholland Dr."
  
  
  https://www.Youtube.Com/watch?V=HMJbUlHYE28
  
  
  
  What a long, abnormal trip it's been for Bartees. It actually hasn't been that long — his fiery debut LP dropped in 2020, and since then, he's toured with the likes of Phoebe Bridgers, his heroes in The National, and more. Importantly, he was routinely a headliner; right now the bookings have caught up with his talents. That's exceedingly apparent on "Mulholland Dr.," A standout cut from his second album, Farm to Table, which is out today. The twinkly guitar and icy keyboard lines make it timeless, existing in a framework of indie rock not tied to any particular era (even with its brief Steely Dan detour around 2:10 in). And his emotional vocals ("I don't believe in the bullshit") make everything memorable on top. —Patrick Hosken
  
  
  
  
  



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  Wonho: "Crazy"
  
  
  https://www.Youtube.Com/watch?V=chjvw8YoO50
  
  
  
  I’ve been following Wonho’s career for a while right now. I’ve been there by means of the ups and downs and watched and listened to him play with different sounds and concepts. All of it. With his latest release, Facade, you could hear the culmination of his efforts and maturity as an artist. He brings all that into view with his genre-bending focus track, “Crazy.” The infectious single finds Wonho at his best, experimenting and executing flawless choreography. A driving bassline, guitar riffs, smooth vocals, plus a chorus that has been stuck in my head for days — it’s certainly a bop. And while I’ve been going “Crazy” over Wonho for some time, it truly feels like we have so much more to be able to see from him, and personally, I can’t wait. —Daniel Head
  
  
  
  
  



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  Loveless: "Middle of the Night"
  
  
  https://www.Youtube.Com/watch?V=TjMPGd20Ryk
  
  
  
  Los Angeles option rock duo Loveless formed much less than three years prior, however they’ve already managed to assemble hundreds of thousands of followers on TikTok and Instagram resulting in millions of streams. Their much-deserved success is a prime example of the power that social media has in the music industry now. Singer Julian Comeau has a captivating, emotive voice that he uses to effortlessly breathe new life into well-known pop songs on the band’s TikTok. On “Middle of the Night,” Loveless puts a powerful pop-punk spin on Elley Duhé’s enchanting 2020 original, a track that’s experienced a recent viral resurgence. The cover is striking, well-produced, and sure to introduce Loveless’s new fans (like myself) to some of their original music, which I’m finding to be similarly impressive. —Farah Zermane
  
  
  
  
  



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  Between Friends: "Try"
  
  
  https://www.Youtube.Com/watch?V=FyZOXkh4LL4
  
  
  
  Indie-pop sibling duo Between Friends put their own twist on MTV with new project Cutie, crafting a series of dreamy and nostalgic visuals that speak to their definition of “modern music television.” Amongst a sea of tranquil and daydream-hued entries is “Try,” an especially sweet meditation on finding your place in another’s life and the threat of things going south. Armed with a synthesizer, filtered vocals, plus a heavy bass, the two craft a tune fit for sleepless summer nights and picturesque sunsets with an eas chorus: “Tryna be the one you stay awake for / so know that in case you ask me, I could be yours.” —Carson Mlnarik
  
  
  
  
  



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  The Beths: "Silence Is Golden"
  
  
  https://www.Youtube.Com/watch?V=QjTTlHoNgYM
  
  
  
  The Beths are a preference foursome from New Zealand whose take on "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" I play each and every year for maximum yuletide melancholy. The other 11 months, yet, The Beths are brilliant for rip-roaring, peppy and melodic avalanches of indie rock, like on new single "Silence Is Golden." The title is delivered with a straight face — over careening waves of distorted guitars and huge drums. It's enough to create laugh, and also must! Then you have got to proceed to rock the hell out. Their new album, Expert in a Dying Field, is out September 16. —Patrick Hosken
  
  
  
  
  



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  Yung Gravy: "Betty (Money)"
  
  
  https://www.Youtube.Com/watch?V=8oE5Z2GLhNc
  
  
  
  Yung Gravy is known for his tongue-in-cheek, satirical hip-hop tracks, however he brings a new definition to Rickrolling in this absolutely classic banger, using the instrumentals of Rick Astley’s “Never Gonna Give You Up” and combining it with his own groovy trap beats. Whenever he modifies the lyrics to sing about his pursuit of big bucks, he still manages to prepare them catchy with his smooth bass vocals: “Never gonna take a L / Never take a damn thing slow / All I know is chase this dough and get money.” —Athena Serrano
  
  
  
  
  



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  Julius Rodriguez: "Two Way Street"
  
  
  https://youtu.Be/QcKOazHYoLQ
  
  
  
  Julius Rodriguez is a tornado of talent. Because the 23-year-old showcases in this live, at-home take of his breakneck bebop song "Two Way Street," he'll start on drums and move to piano in the middle of the tune. He plays guitar as well, including onstage with a collective that toured with A$AP Rocky in the past. Rodriguez, a.K.A. Orange Julius, shows this all on his debut album, Let Sound Tell All, which dropped on June 10. During, he dips into noirish soul and also a little bit of R&B, routinely keeping his compass pointed toward the unexpected. —Patrick Hosken
  
  
  
  
  



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  Princess Nokia: "Diva"
  
  
  https://www.Youtube.Com/watch?V=JI66CjACJsU
  
  
  
  Princess Nokia is back, and she’s giving plants to the divas who have inspired her. “I feel like Beyoncé / I feel like Shakira / Lemonade, I’m juicy / Hips don’t lie, Selena / Britney, Christina, rest in peace Aaliyah,” she sings on the track’s ethereal refrain, channeling the female music trailblazers who came before her both sonically and spiritually. The influence doesn’t stop there, and she uses the single’s verses to spit some rhymes and celebrate her lineage as well: “I just learn from these females, do whichever it takes / I’m the daughter of the witches that they burned at the stake.” It’s a meditative, summer-flavored take on a self empowerment anthem, ensuring that by the end, you’ve noticed your own inner diva. —Carson Mlnarik
  
  
  
  
  



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  Special Interest: "(Herman's) House"
  
  
  https://www.Youtube.Com/watch?V=EZahXe59w20
  
  
  
  In May, the fantastic New Orleans punk musical group Special Interest released a dance track called "(Herman's) Home wherein a fuzzy pulsating bassline lays the groundwork for a history lesson. The Herman in the song's title refers to Herman Wallace, a Black revolutionary and member of the Angola 3 who served 41 years in prison in solitary confinement before his eventual release. "This song bears witness to our wonder and wish to dismantle the oppressive systems that hinder our opportunities towards true liberation, to annihilate, to destroy and to rebuild with one another," musical group members Alli Logout and Maria Elena mentioned in a statement. —Patrick Hosken